Cancer-battling grandmother, 76, says her life has been made hell by cones falling from neighbour’s giant tree as postman refuses to deliver and she has to give golf umbrella to callers for their protection
A grandmother has said her life is being made a living hell by her neighbour's giant tree, which scatters beechnuts on anyone who visits her house.
Lynda Owen, 76, from Fairwater, Cardiff, South Wales, has had her home blacklisted by postal workers – and even has to protect those who come to her home with a giant golf umbrella.
The pensioner is furious that council officers do not want to step in to help, as the 18-metre-long giant Beech is under a tree protection order.
Lynda – who is fighting lung and breast cancer – said: 'That tree has been the bane of my life for 28 years.
'But it gets worse as it gets older. Those cones are like rockets raining down on you.
'Even my postman refused to deliver my mail for a while because the cones kept hitting him on the head and he had had enough.
Pensioner Lynda Owen (pictured), 76, has had her home blacklisted by postal workers – and even has to give a giant golf umbrella to those who come to her house
In autumn, beech trees develop bristly seed pods that fall and open to reveal nut-like seeds known as 'mast'.
“I now have a golf umbrella for guests to use when they come so they can protect themselves.”
In autumn, beech bristly seed pods develop that fall and open to reveal nut-like seeds known as 'mast'.
The mother-of-one lived in her three-bedroom terraced house as the tree grew into the giant it is today.
It towers more than 60 feet above her home, with more than 30 feet of branches sending cones and leaves to her garden and sidewalk.
She says she begged the council to cut down the tree, but they refused and are adamant the tree is not their responsibility.
It is in the grounds of the adjacent flat and previous tenants did have a tree surgeon come to prune the tree, but they only removed a few branches.
Now new neighbors have moved in, but they have not been informed of the ongoing dispute with the tree by the owner, who has failed to cut the tree back.
'The tree has grown bigger and bigger every year. It has made my life an absolute misery,” she said.
'I had to spend €4,000 on a new roof because the tree damaged it and my car has so many dents because large branches keep falling off it.
'Not so long ago I had to spend €750 because a branch broke off and knocked off another tile.
'You can't even see my front garden anymore, it's covered in thousands of leaves. I can't enjoy the outdoors because my health is poor and I'm afraid I'll fly when it's wet outside.'
Lynda said squirrel families also nest in the tree.
Lynda is furious because municipal officials do not want to help because the 18-meter-high giant beech (photo) falls under a tree protection order
“The sun is usually wiped out of my house. I can no longer sit in my garden and enjoy the sun,” she said.
'I feel trapped in my house. At my age I don't want to slip on wet leaves or be hit on the head by falling cones.'
Desperate, she called her insurance company to get legal advice because she was so upset. But that backfired.
“When my renewal notice came in they wanted £872 for my buildings and contents insurance just because I asked their advice about that tree,” she says.
As her mailman starts delivering her mail again, she knows it can only be a matter of time as it stops again due to the falling cones and slippery path.
She said: 'It seems like there are a pile of pebbles all over my garden. I detest it.'
Lynda also claims the tree is rotten due to 'brittle porcelain disease', but the council is convinced the tree is the responsibility of the neighboring flat owners, even though the land is leased from the council.
“This overgrown tree is a danger to the public and myself. I can no longer sit in my garden and see the sun. At 76, I should be able to enjoy the sun outside my own home.
'Someone has to take responsibility for this tree. It's ruining my life.'
A council spokesperson said: 'This tree, which is on private land, is protected by a tree protection order because of its importance.
“As the tree is not on public land and does not pose a risk to the highway, this is ultimately a private matter between neighbors. The Council has no legal authority to intervene and carry out work. The Council's sole role is to ensure that the tree is managed in accordance with the Tree Conservation Order.
'Formal permission is required for any work to reduce the size of the tree. To date, this has not yet been requested.'